A bacterial powder sent to the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, apparently in response to the jailing of an Australian convicted of smuggling drugs into Bali, will not damage bilateral relations, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said Thursday. Bali district court was only upholding the law when it sentenced Schapelle Corby to 20 years in jail for smuggling 4.1 kilograms (9 pounds) of marijuana to the Indonesian resort island last October, Kalla said. A bacterial powder sent to the Indonesian Embassy on Wednesday, forced the shutdown of the consulate and the evacuation of its staff. No one was sickened by the white substance, and authorities said Thursday it was probably harmless. Tests were continuing. Australian Prime Minister John Howard said he suspected the powder was sent in retaliation to Corby's verdict. "The incident will not disturb Indonesia-Australia ties," Kalla said. "Howard has apologized to Indonesia regarding the incident." Kalla called on the international community to respect Indonesia's legal process. "The law must be upheld everywhere and all nations must pay respect to legal systems in other countries," he was quoted as saying by The Associated Press. "When Indonesia failed to uphold the law, the world said that we have weak law enforcement. But when Indonesia enforces the law, they said it was wrong."
